(a)    Without regard to the education, experience, or examination requirements of this subtitle, the Commissioner may issue a temporary license to act as an insurance producer to an individual if the individual:

(1)    is otherwise qualified; and

(2)    is:

(i)    the surviving spouse, next of kin, personal representative, or appointee of the personal representative, of a deceased insurance producer;

(ii)    the spouse, next of kin, employee, or legal guardian of a mentally or physically disabled insurance producer; or

(iii)    an employee of a firm, or an officer or employee of a corporation, of a deceased or disabled insurance producer.

(b)    Before a person acts as a temporary insurance producer in the State, the person must obtain:

(1)    a temporary license in the kind or subdivision of insurance for which the person intends to act as an insurance producer; and

(2)    if applicable, an appointment from an insurer.

(c)    An applicant for a temporary license shall:

(1)    file with the Commissioner an application on the form that the Commissioner provides; and

(2)    pay to the Commissioner the applicable fee required by § 2-112 of this article.

(d)    Within 30 days after the date an application is received, the Commissioner shall:

(1)    issue a temporary license to the applicant; or

(2)    refuse in writing to issue a temporary license, stating the reasons for the refusal.

(e)    A temporary license issued under subsection (a) of this section expires 15 months after its effective date.